In this week’s episode, we travel to the quiet landscapes of Alentejo, where José Sousa Cunhal reveals how L’AND Vineyards grew from a family estate into one of Portugal’s most distinctive luxury retreats. Rooted in wine culture, shaped by architecture, and guided by the region’s dark sky, L’AND stands as a testament to how place can shape experience.

José’s story is one of intention. From the very beginning, he set out to create something that would honour the land, protect its identity, and offer guests a rare sense of stillness. What emerged is an environment where vineyard rows become part of the architecture, where modern design meets rural heritage, and where every stay feels both personal and deeply grounded in nature.

Listeners will step into a world where slow living becomes a luxury of its own. You’ll hear how guest expectations are shifting, how personalization is redefining hospitality, and why places like L’AND are quietly leading a new era of conscious travel.

Key Themes We Explore

• The evolution of L’AND and its wine-driven identity
• Architecture as a bridge between landscape and emotion
• The dark-sky suites and the art of designing for stillness
• Alentejo as a rising destination for slow luxury
• Personalization as the future of guest experience
• The role of technology and AI in boutique hospitality
• The challenge of scaling authenticity without losing soul

A conversation that reminds us that true luxury is not built on excess, but on intention — where it is redefined not by what you see, but by what you feel.